The Blackwood Football Club recorded its sixth victory of 2021 defeating the Bridgewater-Callington Raiders by 51 points in Round 9 of the Police Credit Union Hills Football League.

The win is the 19th straight victory the Woods have had over the Raiders winning all games played between the sides since 2006. Speaking post-match coach Scott Prebble said it was great to see the side stay disciplined throughout the match. “It was a tough first quarter with Bridgewater bringing a solid game. To the players credit they stuck to task and the results eventually came on the scoreboard in the second half.”

“To be six and three at the halfway point of the season is a great start but there is still plenty of improvement to be had. We will rest and recover over the bye weekend and head into the Hahndorf match looking to atone for the Round 1 result.”

The Woods made one change to the side welcoming back Jacob McCarthy from injury. In the first match up between the teams since Round 15 2013, the Raiders kicked the opening goal of the match through elusive half forward Adam Houlahan. The Woods peppered the forward 50 but could only manage minor scores until the 22-minute mark when Jan Warbout was able to mark and convert truly.

The Woods stepped up the pressure in the second quarter with the midfield starting to get on top. Phil Hopton hit the scoreboard first in the term taking a strong mark and kicked straight from 15 metres out. Three further goals to Eduard Van Berg, Alex Scott and Hopton saw the Woods extend the margin out to 16 points with inaccurate kicking keeping the Raiders within striking distance.

Much like the second quarter, the Woods started the better of the two teams in the third quarter. Winning the ball from the midfield, the side was able to lock the ball inside the forward 50 and put the Raiders defence under continual pressure. Van Den Berg kicked his second goal of the match from a long-range set shot after being found open from a switching ball from youngster Patrick Hillard. A third major to veteran Phil Hopton extended the margin further as skipper Ryan Dijksman and Sam Venning also impacted on the scoreboard as the home side was running all over the Raiders who had some costly behinds in the quarter which could’ve been closer at the final break.

The Woods continued their run in the final quarter and the team booted the four goals for the term much to the delight of the large crowd in attendance. Captain Dijksman kicked his second of the match early in the term with the ball getting out the back of the pack as he strolled into open goal. Crafty forward Mat Tee booted a goal courtesy of a 50-metre penalty. When Daniel Benson kicked a 52-metre set shot the game was all but over as the Woods were marching onwards to victory. A late goal to youngster Hillard from 50 metres out in front of the club rooms sealed the victory for the Woods much to the delight of the crowd as the Woods ran out 51 point winners when the final siren sounded.

Daniel Benson was awarded best player for the Woods for his numerous possessions around the midfield whilst Nathan Dunn, Eduard Van Den Berg, Jan Warbout and Phil Hopton also earnt the praise of the coaching staff to be named in the better players.

Final Scoreboard

Blackwood 1.4 5.13 9.14 13.15 (93)

Bridgewater 1.1 2.5 4.10 5.12 (42)

Goals – Phil Hopton 3, Ryan Dijksman 2, Eduard Van den berg 2,  Daniel Benson 1, Patrick Hillard 1, Alex Scott 1, Mat Tee 1, Sam Venning 1, Jan Warbout 1

Best Players – Daniel Benson, Nathan Dunn, Eduard Van Den Berg, Jan Warbout, Phil Hopton

Other results

B Grade Men – Blackwood 21.17 (143) defeated Bridgewater 2.3 (15)

C Grade – Blackwood 9.12 (66) defeated Edwardstown 8.4 (52)

Senior Colts – Blackwood 16.15 (111) defeated Iron Raiders 2.4 (16)

Junior Colts – Blackwood 6.11 (47) defeated Iron Raiders 2.4 (16)

Under 15 – Blackwood 8.9 (57) defeated by Flinders Park 11.7 (73)

Mini Colts – Blackwood 9.6 (60) defeated Iron Raiders 4.1 (25)

Under 13 – Blackwood 9.10 (64) defeated Colonel Light Gardens 4.5 (29)

Under 12 – Blackwood 3.3 (21) defeated Goodwood Saints 3.2 (20)

Under 7 to 11 – No scores kept

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